Sergey Lavrov
Russia will refuse to prolong the Black Sea food initiative if the entire package of agreements under the grain deal does not work before July 17. This statement was made on Wednesday, June 14, by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The diplomat pointed out that the «Istanbul package» signed on July 22, 2022 is still being implemented only in terms of the export of Ukrainian food. At the same time, part of the agreement on Russian ammonia is not valid. There is also no progress in the implementation of the Russia-UN Memorandum, designed to ensure the real withdrawal of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers from Western sanctions.
In this regard, Lavrov said that «if the» Istanbul package «does not work, how will he was initiated by the UN Secretary General until July 17, then there can be no talk of any further extension.»
The Russian Foreign Ministry previously warned that Moscow agreed to extend the grain deal, provided that there were shortcomings in its implementation eliminated as soon as possible.
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov explained the Kremlin's position on the grain deal, which ensured the continuation of shipping to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. The Kremlin speaker recalled that Russia has repeatedly made gestures of goodwill, showing a responsible approach, but in the absence of reciprocity and the desire of the collective West to fulfill the agreements, this manifestation of goodwill cannot be endless.